Architecture and Zoning Committee
The purpose of the Architecture and Zoning Committee is to represent the Eastport Civic Association (ECA) by working with the City’s Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Department and other City agencies regarding the architectural aspects and zoning considerations of proposed development in the Eastport area. The committee purview includes architectural aspects of development that affect the welfare, character and quality of life in Eastport including the Residential Conservation Overlay and the Eastport Gateway Ordinance. The committee shall also follow any proposed changes to laws, regulations or codes within its purview and as they apply to Eastport.
The committee shall review and make recommendations on the architectural and zoning aspects of proposed new construction or alterations to existing structures. The basis for these determinations are the protection of the architectural massing, composition and styles as well as neighborhood scale and character; the compatibility of new construction and structural alterations with the existing scale and architectural character of surrounding properties; the encouragement of existing types of land uses that reflect the mixture and diversity of uses that have historically existed in the community; and preservation of streetscapes.
The committee shall transmit its recommendations to P&Z staff or other appropriate City agencies in writing, with the caveat that any official ECA recommendations will be submitted through the ECA President. The committee shall prepare materials for the newsletter and the website to keep members abreast of development plans and outcomes when appropriate.
The committee shall consist of a chairman and at least four other members of ECA in good standing. Committee members shall have the following qualifications:
- One member shall have a background in architecture and/or architectural history in order to understand and interpret P & Z guidelines.
- One member shall be an attorney and have an understanding of local land use ordinances and issues.
- The third member shall have design qualifications..
- The remaining members need not have specific qualifications other than an interest in the work of the committee.
Janaury 2012 update
A&Z is comprised of volunteers from the ECA membership representing architecture/ architectural history, land use ordinances, built-environment design fields, and/or committee interest.
The current members are: Judy Billage, Al Graf, Tarry Lomax, Eric Pilka, Paul Richards, Joyce Roper, Gary Schwerzler, and Eric Pilka (Chair). Volunteers interested in serving as members of A&Z are welcome and should contact the volunteer coordinator at dpetersod@aol.com.
Property owners seeking advice in planning new construction or alterations to existing structures who wish to meet with A&Z may contact A&Z at: architecture@eastportcivic.org. A&Z generally meets in Eastport on the fourth Thursday of the month.
November 2011 update
Joint Residents Outdoor Dining Standards Proposal
Rooftop Dining
Rooftop dining would be by Special Exception.
Additional conditions could be imposed by the Planning Commission and Board of Appeals but these would be the minimum standards and conditions:
- No portion of a commercial outdoor rooftop patio may be located any closer than two hundred (200) feet from a residential zoning district line, measured horizontally at grade;
- The rooftop dining area may not exceed 25 percent of the floor area used for patron seating inside the restaurant, nor may the number of rooftop dining seats exceed 25 percent of the number of seats inside the restaurant;
- The facility must have sound-dampening mitigation (i.e., glass partition wall, plantings) erected around the perimeter of the rooftop dining area, dampening noise to nearby properties and streets, with special consideration given toward mitigating noise levels impacting nearby residential uses;
- The rooftop dining area may not include any area that is used for any of the following purposes:
- a. Bar;
- b. Dance floor;
- c. Stage;
- d. Disc jockey;
- e. Live or amplified recorded music;
- f. Other live or amplified recorded entertainment;
- Music should be restricted and not allowed.
- Where provided, lighting shall be directed away from nearby properties and streets, with special consideration given to mitigating impacts to nearby residential uses, and may not be directed outside the dining area below railing level or, in general, cause lighting pollution;
- Customer access to the rooftop dining area must be via the interior of the establishment with exterior egress provided only for emergency and fire safety purposes;
- The hours of operation shall be limited by special exception. In no case shall hours of operation exceed 10 p.m.
- Rooftop dining may only be permitted where food is served with alcoholic beverages; and
- No covering such as an awning, trellis or other structure shall be permitted that, together with the structure’s actual height, exceeds the structure’s height limitation in the zoning district.
First/Ground-Level Outdoor Dining
Remain Permitted Subject to Standards (current law), unless they want to extend hours, then by special exception:
- Total number of seats limited to 50;
- Alcohol is permitted with the service of food;
- Hours of operation are limited to 10 p.m. seven days a week, unless extended by special exception but in no case later than midnight;
- No bar, dancing, or live entertainment is permitted;
- Recorded music shall be limited to non-amplified, low-decibel, background variety only.
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July 2010 update: In 2009, the Architecture and Zoning Committee (A&Z) reviewed over 20 plans provided by the City of Annapolis’ Planning and Zoning Department (P&Z) or property owners. In addition, A&Z met with multiple property owners at their request, as well as with P&Z staff. Also, A&Z established sub-teams that are in the process of studying three topics: (1) Zoning Code revisions; (2) design guide revision; and (3) accessory buildings.
A&Z is comprised of volunteers from the ECA membership representing architectural, architectural history, design, land use laws, and/or community interests. The current members are: Judy Billage, Joyce Gomoljak, Al Graf, Vienna Laurendi, Tarry Lomax, Kevin Macready, Eric Pilka, Paul Richards, Joyce Roper, Gary Schwerzler, Bill Trulio and Jackie Wells (Chair). Volunteers interested in serving as members of A&Z are welcome and should contact the volunteer coordinator at dpetersod@aol.com.
Property owners seeking advice in planning new construction or alterations to existing structures and wish to meet with A&Z at an upcoming meeting may contact A&Z at: architecture@eastportcivic.org. A&Z generally meets in Eastport on the fourth Thursday of the month.